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Monday, May 2, 2016

Productivity

Collage and acrylic paint on panel (unfinished). 42" x 72"

I’ve been thinking a lot about productivity.

I’ve been to local galleries, art fairs and art museums recently and have seen successful artists who work quickly and sell healthily. I scold myself for only producing 15-20 paintings a year. I like what I do, but it takes a long time.

So, a few days ago, I’m at my worktable gluing old posters
to my panel (see photo) when it hits me: I’m
spending a lot of time on the layers which eventually get obscured. Making a living is hard. If I cut my process
time I would produce more. Couldn’t I just gesso the panel and get straight to
the final image? Or perhaps get an assistant to do the under-layers while I
paint the final layer? I have been having this argument with myself for a while.

In defense of my process:

·Each layer is considered and informs the next
layer.

Each layer feels like a piece of art in its own
right.

I have a lot of fun building the layers. I feel
like I am “growing” the painting.

The viewer gets little hints, but only I know
what lies underneath and what has helped me to get to the final painting.

I LOVE my process.

The productivity/income formula is still not right but I
guess I’ll be sticking with it for now.... and perhaps buying some lottery tickets.

1 comment:

Stick with what you love and have passion for. Your mental heath is also part of the equation. When being poor start to effect your mental health, find a way to work smarter. How about a High School Intern from the School of the Arts to come in and help one or two afternoons a week?

About Me

I'm a fine artist who specializes in painting urban environments including everything from abandoned buildings and old piers, to warehouses, bicycles and bubblegum machines. My studio is located in San Francisco, CA.